Rearset/drum brake leverage

[teazer]

Tell me it isn't so. Instructors are telling people that the REAR does 99% of the work. That's insane at best.

 

[FunJimmy]

I took the riding course last spring, here in Illinois. And yes they were ALL ABOUT using the rear brake. only using the front on an absolute emergency only basis. And because thats what they taught us 99% of my brake usage is rear. my old 1980 ATC 110. didnt have a front brake. So using rear comes very natural.

I would strongly suggest going back to that rider training (if you can call it training) provider and DEMANDING your money back. Training like the type you describe will have a significant impact on your life expectancy.

That’s just fcuking crazy!
FJ

 

[crazypj]

Tell me it isn't so. Instructors are telling people that the REAR does 99% of the work. That's insane at best.

Was it a Harley led instructor?
For some reason US instructors seem to tell people all sorts of BS.
'Use rear brake and lay it down' seems to also be pretty common, when, in fact using front brake properly could possibly have avoided any accident situation

 

[trek97]

The course was free. The instructors were from the DMV. After we finished we received a card. took it down to DMV, they took our pics and they handed us our licenses. done.

 

[FunJimmy]

The course was free. The instructors were from the DMV. After we finished we received a card. took it down to DMV, they took our pics and they handed us our licenses. done.

Well here’s a perfect case for “you get what you pay for”!
Thankfully you can toss that bit of info away and get on learning the value of BOTH brakes.
70% front – 30% rear.

 

[83scrambler]

Took ABATE here in Indiana and they told us 70/30 front/rear respectively. And they made mention of this over and over and put it on the test aswell.

 

[FunJimmy]

Took ABATE here in Indiana and they told us 70/30 front/rear respectively.
And they made mention of this over and over and put it on the test aswell.

Every motorcycle training facility in the world should stress the importance of using and becoming comfortable using the front brakes of a motorcycle!

This is the shit that happens when riders are fearful of front tire grip and front brake application.
He's lucky to be walking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up2UvuRLdTE

 

[AgentX]

To follow up on the leverage thing, yeah, without shortening the actual arm coming off the brake drum, you had decent leverage (even with the shortened brake lever and rod attachment points) but to push the lever way too far to get at all that power.

I shortened the actuator arm and now you have to really honk on the brake to get it to stop, but it's firm and the lever travel is more reasonable. Brake power is manageable in the useful range.

The math makes sense to me now, in general terms.

 

[FunJimmy]

To follow up on the leverage thing, yeah, without shortening the actual arm coming off the brake drum, you had decent leverage (even with the shortened brake lever and rod attachment points) but to push the lever way too far to get at all that power.

I shortened the actuator arm and now you have to really honk on the brake to get it to stop, but it's firm and the lever travel is more reasonable. Brake power is manageable in the useful range.

The math makes sense to me now, in general terms.

Glad it worked out for you.

FJ